Camera for cockpit video

[DarkSarcasm]

Ok, these are the things I think I'd like in the camera, let's see what people suggest (open to any and all suggestions)

 

• video camera (obviously), not too large preferably
   
   
  
• can fit onto some kind of suction-cup mount which i can stick on windscreen/door window/whatever (inside the aircraft, not totally comfortable with the idea of sticking it on the outside, wouldn't it affect airflow and such? plus with my luck it'd fall off)
   
   
  
• image stabiliser
   
   
  
• if i attach it upside down (say inside the windscreen), ability to turn the image the right way up, either as an option in the camera or later on my computer
   
   
  
• good picture
   
   
  
• avoid the strobe prop thing if possible (I'm guessing this is where you can see the prop in the video...is this avoidable at all?)
   
   
  
• good battery life
   
   
  
• ability to survive G-forces (I'd like to do aeros in the future)
   
   
  

 

 

The GoPro HD seems to fulfil most of these but also seems to have some issues (strobe prop, no image stabiliser). Plus it seems to be getting fairly expensive if I get the HD model, because I'd want the extra LCD screen once they get around to releasing it... I'd have to say that the absolute max I could spend would be about $400-$500 and then only knowing that the camera would last me a good long time (not one that'll need to be upgraded in the next year or so)

 

So, any ideas anyone? I've been googling cameras but it's hard to tell how they'd go bashing around in an aircraft, so any and all help would be appreciated :) I get horribly indescisive when it comes to making purchases involving electronics...

 

 

[djpacro]

Some friends have just got the Mini DV DVR Video Camera MD80 Spycam - works well doing aerobatics - especially for the price (you won't believe it if I told you - search on ebay). The quality is obviously not as good as something ten times the price but if you don't like the MD80 just throw it away.

 

Darky - you're welcome to check out my Contour HD 1080p at Lilydale sometime. Search youtube for some samples with it.